United Way of Lee, Hendry, and Glades Counties

What United Way of Lee, Hendry, and Glades Counties does

United Way of Lee, Hendry, and Glades Counties is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1957 that operates as the central coordinating body for health and human services across Southwest Florida's tri-county region (Lee, Hendry, and Glades). With 51-100 employees headquartered at 7273 Concourse Drive in Fort Myers, the organization raises charitable contributions from individuals, workplaces, and corporate donors and redistributes them through a network of approximately 90 partner agencies and direct service programs; cumulatively it has raised and distributed more than $272 million since inception, reaching more than 500,000 people annually. It functions as a locally governed chapter of the broader United Way network under an independent volunteer Board of Directors.

The organization's service delivery rests on four core platforms. The 211 Helpline is a free, confidential 24/7 information and referral service available in more than 180 languages via phone, text, and online; Lee County Emergency Management activates it as the community's designated Emergency Information Hotline during crises such as Hurricane Ian, when it fielded 25,209 calls. Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) deploys 234 IRS-certified volunteers across 21+ tax preparation sites, completing 8,483 returns in 2024 and returning $8.9 million in refunds to the community. United Way Resiliency Hubs (rebranded from United Way Houses in 2024) form a network of 17 physical service centers delivering health, food security, employment training, and youth programming, and pivoting to emergency distribution during disasters. Supporting platforms include an online Volunteer Center portal and a partner-agency portal that coordinate capacity across the network.

Name

United Way of Lee, Hendry, and Glades Counties

Legal name

United Way of Lee, Hendry, and Glades Counties Inc.

Website

https://unitedwaylee.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1957

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

United Way of Lee, Hendry, and Glades Counties is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit serving Southwest Florida since 1957. It operates a 211 helpline, 17 Resiliency Hubs, VITA free tax preparation, and 90+ partner agencies, raising about $11.5 million annually through workplace giving.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Human Services & Nonprofit Fundraising

NAICS

Other Individual and Family Services (624190), Community Housing Services (62422), Emergency and Other Relief Services (624230), Business, Professional, Labor, Political, and Similar Organizations (8139)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Housing Assistance & Homeless Services (BPAGAEAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Affordable Housing & Community Development (Housing, Community Land Trusts) (BPAGALAC), Local Public Health & Human Services Administration (BPAIACAK)

Keywords

• Community fundraising campaigns
• Human services coordination
• Nonprofit grant distribution
• Volunteer mobilization services
• Disaster relief coordination

Headquarters

HQ city

Fort Myers

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Annual fundraising campaign (workplace giving): The primary revenue stream: annual campaigns soliciting payroll deduction gifts and one-time donations from individuals and employees at workplace campaigns. Pacesetter companies (175–185 organizations) launch campaigns early and contribute $1,000 or more, generating approximately 52% of total campaign donations. Nearly 185 Alexis de Tocqueville Society members contribute a minimum of $10,000 annually. Additional giving societies include Keel Club ($1,000–$9,999).
2. Gifts in Kind (in-kind donations): Corporate and individual donations of physical goods (furniture, apparel, home goods, school supplies, building/construction supplies) that are redistributed to partner agencies and affected community members. During Hurricane Ian response, over $33 million in donated goods were received and distributed.
3. Community grants and fund distribution: United Way distributes grant funding to its network of ~90 partner agencies and programs from campaign proceeds. Grants are awarded through an application process, directing resources to local human service programs.
4. Program service fees (VITA, other programs): Revenue generated through program delivery, including the VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) program which generates economic benefit for the community ($12.1M in 2024).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

United Way of Lee, Hendry, and Glades Counties is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that mobilizes community resources to address health and human service needs across Southwest Florida. Its core offering centers on the United Way 211 helpline (24/7 information and referral service in 180+ languages), annual workplace giving campaigns, and grant distribution to 90+ partner agencies running 260+ programs. Direct services include free tax preparation (VITA), 17 Resiliency Hubs, veteran services (Mission United), pet therapy (Beesley's Paw Prints), and disaster response coordination.

Product overview

United Way of Lee, Hendry, and Glades operates as a nonprofit federation offering multiple interconnected programs and services. The core offering is United Way 211, a free 24/7 information and referral helpline providing personalized referrals in 180+ languages. Supporting this are programs including VITA (free tax preparation), United Way Resiliency Hubs (17 community centers), Community Partnership Schools, WeCare, Beesley's Paw Prints (pet therapy), and Mission United (veteran services). The organization runs an Annual Campaign for fundraising and maintains a Volunteer Center portal. Research initiatives include the ALICE Project tracking household financial hardship. All programs work through a network of 90+ partner agencies serving Lee, Hendry, and Glades counties in Southwest Florida.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• United Way 211: Free 24/7 information and referral service connecting individuals to local health and human service resources by phone, text, or web in more than 180 languages.
• VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance)
• United Way Resiliency Hubs
• Beesley's Paw Prints
• One in a Million Campaign
• WeCare
• Mission United
• ReUnite
• United Way School Resource Center
• Community Partnership Schools
• ALICE Project

Products and services

• United Way 211 Helpline Free, confidential 24/7 information and referral helpline connecting residents of Lee, Hendry, and Glades Counties to local resources for food, housing, healthcare, childcare, senior services, and financial assistance. Available in 180+ languages via phone (2-1-1 or 239-433-3900), text, and online. Functions as the designated Emergency Information Hotline activated by Lee County Emergency Management during public health emergencies or severe weather.
• Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Free federal tax return preparation provided by IRS-certified volunteers for households earning $66,000 or less annually (2024 threshold). Operates across 21+ tax sites in Lee, Hendry, Glades, Charlotte counties and Immokalee, with virtual VITA service via GetYourRefund.org/uwlee. In 2024, 234 volunteers completed 8,483 tax returns returning $8.9 million in refunds to the community.
• United Way Resiliency Hubs 17 strategically located community centers across Lee, Hendry, and Glades Counties providing health and wellness services, food insecurity support, employment skills training, youth programming, and emergency resources. Pivot to emergency distribution (food, water, tarps) during natural disasters. Renamed from United Way Houses in 2024.
• Community Partnership Schools

Quantifiable outcome

• 96.4% of all donations go back into the community for programs and services
• +6 more outcomes

Named customers11 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

19 partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and major.

• CollaboratorycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIn partnership with Collaboratory, United Way established the SWFL Emergency Relief Fund which infused $7 million into the community to support nonprofits and families directly impacted by Hurricane Ian for both short-term and long-term recovery.
• Lee County Emergency ManagementcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLee County Emergency Management activated United Way 211 as the community's designated Emergency Information Hotline during Hurricane Ian. United Way staff and volunteers fielded 25,209 calls directing people to evacuation routes and shelters, providing comfort, and coordinating post-storm resources.
• Foundation for Lee County Public SchoolscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to celebrate and supply Lee County teachers. United Way and the Foundation co-host annual teacher appreciation events where more than 320 teachers receive donated supplies. Nearly $200,000 worth of items were available at the 2025 event — the sixth year of partnership.
• American Red CrosscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Hurricane Ian disaster response. American Red Cross provided emergency supplies (food, water, tarps) distributed through United Way's network during the recovery phase.
• Harry Chapin Food BankcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner agency receiving United Way campaign funding to provide food security services. One of the flagship partner agencies highlighted in campaign communications. Part of the network of 90+ agencies supported by United Way.
• Community CooperativecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner agency and lead agency within the United Way Resiliency Hub network. Receives campaign funding and collaborates on food security, crisis response, and community support services.
• Literacy Council Gulf CoastcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner agency and lead agency within the United Way Resiliency Hub network. Receives campaign funding to support adult literacy and educational programs.
• Children's Advocacy Center of Southwest FloridacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner agency and lead agency within the United Way Resiliency Hub network. Receives campaign funding to support advocacy services for children and families.
• F.I.S.H. of Sanibel CaptivacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner agency and lead agency within the United Way Resiliency Hub network. Receives campaign funding and collaborates on providing support services to Sanibel and Captiva island communities.
• Goodwill Industries of Southwest FloridacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner agency and lead agency within the United Way Resiliency Hub network. Receives campaign funding to support workforce development and employment services.
• Publix Super MarketsflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerTop pacesetter corporate contributor. Campaign contribution of $910,250 in 2025-26 and $1,000,000 in 2023-24. Publishes campaign sponsorship in event materials and is prominently recognized at annual kickoff events.
• Lee HealthflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerMajor pacesetter contributor and community health partner. Campaign contribution of $258,198 in 2025-26 and $261,812 in 2024-25. Lee Health COO Dr. Scott Nygaard co-chaired the 2024-25 campaign.
• LCEC (Lee County Electric Cooperative)majorGTM or Marketing PartnerPacesetter corporate contributor with campaign contribution of $205,000 in 2025-26 and $203,000 in 2024-25. Publishes campaign sponsorship recognition.
• Uhler Vertich White AdvisorsmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerPacesetter contributor with campaign contribution of $218,224 in 2025-26. Sponsoring partner for campaign events.
• FineMark National Bank & TrustmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerPacesetter corporate contributor with campaign contribution of $85,891 in 2025-26 and $140,042 in 2024-25.
• O'Donnell Landscapes, Inc.majorGTM or Marketing PartnerPacesetter contributor with campaign contribution of $151,500 in 2025-26 and $162,500 in 2024-25.
• IRS (VITA program partnership)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUnited Way operates an IRS-certified VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) program with 234 IRS-certified volunteers who completed 8,483 tax returns in 2024, returning $8.9 million in refunds to the community. United Way VITA is referenced by the IRS for referrals.
• 211 (national network)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUnited Way 211 is part of a national 211 network supported by United Way Worldwide, providing 24/7 information and referral services in more than 180 languages across the United States.
• Lee County Board of County CommissionersmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerPacesetter contributor with campaign contribution of $130,142 in 2025-26 and $145,000 in 2024-25. Participates in United Way campaigns and recognized in campaign communications.

Scale indicators13 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Heart of Florida United Way: Regional United Way affiliate serving Central Florida with workplace-giving campaigns, 211 service, and partner-agency funding. Operates the same federated fundraising model and community-impact framework as the Lee, Hendry, Glades chapter.
• United Way of Miami-Dade: One of the largest U.S. United Way affiliates by campaign size. Operates an analogous annual campaign, partner-agency funding model, and 211 helpline, and shares the workplace-giving/Pacesetter architecture.
• Habitat for Humanity of Lee and Hendry Counties: Regional Habitat affiliate operating housing affordability, homeownership, and community-development programs in the same tri-county region. Comparable as a community-development nonprofit with overlapping donor and volunteer pools.
• Harry Chapin Food Bank: Regional food bank serving the same SW Florida geography and one of United Way's flagship partner agencies. Comparable as a direct human-services nonprofit with overlapping donor base and beneficiary population.
• Goodwill Industries of Southwest Florida: Lead Resiliency Hub agency and United Way partner providing workforce development, employment training, and community services. Comparable as a federated human-services nonprofit with similar revenue model and donor profile.

Broad incumbents

• Feeding America (national network): National hunger-relief nonprofit network. Comparable as a federated donor/agency funding model serving the same food-insecurity segment of the ALICE population that United Way targets through partner agencies.
• The Salvation Army: National faith-based social services organization delivering emergency assistance, disaster response, and human services programs. Comparable as a multi-program federated nonprofit serving overlapping ALICE and disaster-affected populations.
• American Red Cross: National humanitarian organization with a strong disaster-response franchise and chapter network. Comparable as a co-responder during Hurricane Ian relief and as a parallel fundraising/donor-network competitor in human services.

Regional players

• Collaboratory (SWFL Community Foundation): Southwest Florida community foundation partnering with United Way on the SWFL Emergency Relief Fund. Comparable as a regional grantmaker, disaster-response coordinator, and donor-advised fund aggregator in the same geography.
• 211 San Diego / United Way of San Diego County: Large regional United Way affiliate that operates one of the most-developed 211 platforms in the U.S. Comparable as a peer operating 211 at scale, providing a benchmark for technology and service capacity in the United Way system.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/UnitedWayLHG
• Facebookfacebook.com/UnitedWayLHG
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/about

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles14 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about United Way of Lee, Hendry, and Glades Counties